So. California Tile & Home Center

I have purchased tile from California Tile on two occasions during a recent bathroom remodel.
The first transaction was fine. I needed to match some floor tile in my bathroom because I was replacing a built-​in vanity with a freestanding one. Bob decoded the printing on the back of my sample tile, ordered the replacement tile, it arrived at their store, I picked it up, and it installed with no problems.
The second transaction didn’t go well at all. I was at the store looking at tile for a shower I was having retiled, and I had a hard time getting anyone in the store to not only acknowledge that I was in the store, much less answer questions or point me in the right direction. I felt like Julia Roberts’ character in «Pretty Woman» trying to shop on Rodeo Drive (the first time). The store is very cramped but has a very large selection, although it was tough to see how it is organized overall, and many of the samples were missing (checked out by customers?). and I took notes and photos of the tile I was interested in, and asked Cheryl for pricing and lead times. She told me to send her an email, so I followed up with a request for pricing on four specific tile styles.
After not hearing back for a week, I called to follow up. She apologized for not getting back to me, and replied with the pricing information on one of the four tile styles. I was in a time crunch to get the tile for the shower, so I placed an order with Cheryl by phone for the tile. The tile arrived a few days later. When I went to pick it up (and paid for it in full, over $ 500), I saw immediately that the color of the tile was not at all as I expected, and not at all like the tile samples on the sample board in their store. I had ordered a medium-​gray tile, and this tile was a very light ivory/​beige with grey undertones. I took the boxes of tile home and then called Cheryl the next day to ask about the process of returning the tile. She said that the tile was considered a «special order» and was unfortunately not returnable, per American Olean/​Daltile (the manufacturer) policy. She suggested I sell it on Craigslist or Ebay. I asked what was «special» about the order since it appears to have been picked directly from stock from a warehouse nearby (It wasn’t a custom or rush order), and she didn’t seem to know.
So I feel ripped off — even though it was the tile manufacturer’s policy that «got» me, I was never told it was a special order and was not returnable. I should also point out that I found the exact tile I purchased from California Tile for about 20% cheaper online, but I bought from CA Tile to support local businesses, and because I assumed the customer service would be better.
Anyone want to buy some tile? (from me)

Welcoming, knowledgeable and Friendly… Cheryl (owner) is a One of a kind Sweetheart, and goes the extra mile to help you out, Pricing is fair, and selection… Vast enough.
A returning client indeed.